Congratulations on the publication of the paperback edition of Blackness Is a Gift I Can Give Her by R. Renee Hess – out now with McClelland & Stewart!
From the founder of Black Girl Hockey Club, a collection of deeply insightful and piercing essays shedding light on the history of Black excellence in hockey, the future of Black joy within the sport, and the ways we can all do better when it comes to recognizing—and upheaving—systemic and institutionalized racism.
Growing up, R. Renee Hess didn’t care for hockey. In fact, she was barely aware of it. She was born and raised in Southern California, hardly a hot spot for the game, despite the state having three NHL teams. But, as Hess puts it, she is “a fan of being a fan,” and when she found herself stuck in traffic after a Pittsburgh Penguins game, the streets filled with cheers, something sparked within her. Ever since Hess made that discovery, she has been actively trying to bust the myth that “Black folks don’t like hockey.”
In this collection, Hess traces her journey in hockey—from discovering the sport’s lack of authentic engagement with Black communities to becoming a catalyst for change. Recognizing the limits of a single perspective, she weaves in voices of players, executives, activists, fans, and families shaping the game’s future, highlighting the power of community and support for marginalized players. The result is a hockey book unlike any other.
Through essays on representation, harmful stereotypes, biracial identity, isolation, and joy, Blackness Is a Gift I Can Give Her stands as both a love letter to Black women and a sharp critique of a game Hess loves—even when it doesn’t always love her back.
R. Renee Hess is represented by Evan Brown and Brenna English-Loeb.
Congratulations!